Dentures – Owings Mills, MD

Effects of Missing Teeth

There are many reasons why adults could be missing permanent teeth, including tooth decay, gum disease, and injury. While Dr. Milner and Dr. Miller will always do everything they can to save your tooth, sometimes the damage can be too severe and extracting it is the best solution.

Unfortunately, leaving empty spaces in your mouth isn’t ideal, even if it’s in the very back of your arch. Missing teeth can cause a variety of negative consequences, including facial sagging due to lack of jaw support, difficulty speaking due to improper tongue placement, trouble eating, and even diminished self-esteem.

What Qualifies You for Dentures?

If you’ve experienced significant tooth loss, have sensitive teeth, or a lot of decay, as long as you have sufficient healthy gum tissue and jawbone strength, you are likely a good candidate for dentures. You must also be committed to caring for your mouth and your dentures, as this is still important even if you wear prosthetics and have no remaining natural teeth.

The number of teeth you’re missing will determine which type of dentures Dr. Milner and Dr. Miller will recommend for you, as there are different options to choose from, such as full, partial, implant, and immediate dentures. They are much more affordable than other methods of tooth replacement, which often makes them ideal for patients on a tight budget.

Alternative Tooth-Replacement Options

If you aren’t a good candidate for dentures, there are still other options you may want to consider. These include dental bridges and dental implants.

• Dental Bridges: These prosthetics are an excellent solution for patients who are only missing one or just a few teeth. However, they do require healthy teeth surrounding the missing tooth or teeth to support the bridge.
• Dental Implants: Dental implants are attached via a titanium post inserted in the jawbone, so you must have a solid bone structure to receive this treatment. They are more costly than traditional dentures, however because they are permanently attached to your jaw, they are considered permanent and should not require replacement.

Learn More About Dental Bridges

Learn More About Dental Implants

What Are Dentures Made Of?

Dentures are comprised of two parts: the base and the replacement teeth. Here is a closer look at each one:

• Base: The base is the foundational structure of the replacement teeth. It can be made from various materials, but acrylic tends to be the most popular since it can be tailored to look very similar to natural gum tissue.
• Teeth: In most cases, the replacement teeth attached to the base of the denture are made from resin or porcelain. Both of these materials look similar to real tooth enamel. They even reflect light in a similar way.

The Denture Creation Process

All dentures are customized, so each treatment looks a little bit different. Here are the steps one can typically expect:

1. Measurements are taken of the jaw, and impressions are taken of your upper and lower gums. These are used to create a plaster model of your mouth.
2. The model is sent to the dental lab where your dentures are made. First, your replacement teeth are set in place using an “articulator.” Adjustments are then made by the lab technician.
3. The wax dentures are sent to your dentist for a fitting. If everything looks and feels good, they are returned to the dental lab to complete the process.
4. Once your dentures are back at the lab, the wax needs to be replaced with acrylic. To do this, the lab technician places the dentures into a flask. Plaster is then poured into it to maintain the shape of the dentures. The whole flask is placed in hot water to melt away the wax.
5. The plaster is cut from the dentures with dental tools. Then, the dentures placed into an ultrasonic bath to wash away the remaining plaster.
6. Excess acrylic is cut from the dentures. Then, they are polished.
7. The dentures are sent back to the dental office.
8. If you and your dentist are happy with the final product, you can leave showing off your complete smile.

Adjusting to Your New Dentures

When you get your prosthetic, you might experience some minor soreness and discomfort, but this is perfectly normal as your mouth adjusts to your new prosthesis. Your dentures will start to feel more natural over time. When you first get your dentures, it’s ideal to stick to a softer diet and exercise your facial muscles. With time, you can introduce harder foods. If discomfort persists or you have any concerns, don’t hesitate to give us a call.